Phosphorizing apparatus flow gauge



Sept. 3o, 1952 .1. R. `\ZNYATT PHosPHoRIzING APPARATUS mow GAUGE Original Filed May 16,

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Patented Sept. 30, 1952 James R. Wyatt, HavertowmPa.; Ella M. Wyatt` executrix of said James R. Wyatt, deceased Original application May 16,1947," Serial No.

748,637. 1949, Serial N0. 80,082

My -invention relates to a gage for'use on phosphorizing' apparatus. `A purpose is to indicate the level of molten phosphorus by a oat which will float on molten phosphorus and will sink in inertliquid. Y f

Further vpurposes appear y inv the specication and in the claim.

I have chosen to illustrate my invention by showing one only of the many possible embodiments, choosing the form shown from the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation, andclear demonstration of the principles involved.r

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section of one phosphorizing apparatus embodying the invention.'

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the gage of th'e invention `broken away to show the interior.

Describing in illustration but not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

Thelpresent application is a division of my copending application '748,637 lecl May 16, 1947, for Phosphorizing Methods and Apparatus, which relates Yto the generalapparatus for phosphorizing.

Phosphorus is likely` to be a very hazardous material "to handle, particularly because it is inflammable, it is very toxic, particularly in vapor form, andthe effects are' cumulative in the human body.

Considering the form voi Figures l and 2, I provide a tank conveniently open` at the top, and made from any suitable material such as steel or stainless steel. The tank is illed to a convenient height Lwith inert liquid 2|, suitably water. The tank 20is heated by any suitable means, such as gas burner 22 having a gas connection 23, and air inlet 24 and a combustion gas flue 25 suitablypassing up through the tank 20.

Within the tank 20, two pools of molten phosphorus 26 and 2l are located, each having upon its surface a pool of inert liquid 28 or 29, which will be desirably identical with the inert liquid 2|. The pool of molten phosphorus 25 and of inert liquid 28 is contained within a tank 30, and the pool of molten phosphorus 2`| and of inert liquid '29 is contained within the tank 3|. Both tanks are suitably of steel or stainless steel, in heat transfer relation with .the tank 20, and the pool of inert liquid 2| contained therein. The tanks 30 and 3| may suitably be supported on a frame 32 in the bottom of the tank 20.

Access to the interior of the tank 3| is not necessary in the process, and one of the advan- 1 Claim. (Cl. 73-322) Divided and this application March 7,

,A 2 Y tages of the `process Vis the fact that the head 33 of tank `3| can be permanently gasketed or welded vonv 'at 34 to 4prevent the possibility of leakage,` andparticularly to prevent the possibility of any escape of phosphorus vapor, if vapors should be carried back from the discharge nozzle. l v

On the other' hand,'the head 35 of tank 30 is removably' bolted and gasketed at 33, so that itl can be readily'- removed to introduce white phosphorus to be melted in the pool 26.

The melting tank 30 is connected through its head 35' to a source of inert liquid under pressure. This is conveniently apump 3l driven by a motor 38 having'inlet at 39 from the pool 2| and discharging at 40 through exible connections controlled by valve 4|, the discharge passing directly to the pool of inert liquid 28.,

The head 35 of tank 30 is also conveniently provided with asafety valve 42.

To permit transfer of-molten phosphorus from pool 26 to pool"21,`a'connection 43 extends to near the bottom of pool 26 in tank 20, through union Manciy Valve -'to`pool 29 above pool 21 in tank3l.

Tank 3|" is vequipped with mechanism to introduce a measuredv quantity of inert liquid into pool 29. Thisv is accomplished by pump 46 driven by motor 41 having inlet at 48 (desirably connected 'to the pool 2|, but broken 'away to avoid complication in the drawing) and discharging through connection 49, relief valve 50, pressure gauge 5|, flow meter 52 (rotating type) and ow meter 53 (variable orifice type), check valve 54, and valve 55 to the head 33 of tank 3|.

An overflow valve to permit discharge of inertV liquid from pool 29 in tank 3| is provided at 59. As a means of checking the level of molten phosphorus in tank 3|,l oat 51 is'provided in float 'column extending to the bottom of they molten phosphorus, open at the bottom and closedat the sides, and having indicator stem 59 in cover glass 60, closed at the top. The combined weight of the float Aand indicator' is` chosen so that it is' lessthan the Weight of the phosphorus displaced by the parts submerged in` sink in inert liquid, the inert liquid being lighter f than the molten phosphorus, and the position of the float will always indicate the top of the pool 21.

From the dispensing pool 21, discharge is accomplished to a discharge nozzle 6I below the level of the molten metal E2 in a suitable furnace 63 by a connection 64 extending to the bottom of the pool 21. The discharge connection is jacketed, preferably by inert liquid, suitably withdrawn from the bath 2|, at the preferred temperature of about 180 F. This is accomplished by a pump 65 driven by motor 65'. which has inlet connections 66 to the pool 2l and discharges at 61 to water jacket 68 surrounding one portion of the discharge connection,` then flowing through connection 69 and through water jacket 10 surrounding a bend 1| in the flexible donnee-- tion. Discharge is through a conduit 12 which returns to the pool 2|. The inert liquid connections 61 and 12 are suitably made flexible, since the connection 64 for ow of molten phosphorus to the nozzle is made flexible by a universal type joint 13. Discharge of molten phosphorus to the nozzle 6| iscontrolled by discharge valve 14, which is conveniently located between the heating jackets 68 and 10. v f

In Figures 1 and 2, the nozzle is of conical form as indicated at 86, and has a conical interior bore 81 extending from end to end-verticallyand communicating with connection 64. rThis nozzle is made of suitable refractory material, preferably graphite. x

In operation, the apparatus is set up as shown, the gas or other fuel burner being maintained so that the inert liquid (water) `will preferably be at a temperature of about 160 to 180 F. in the pool 2|.

With all valves closed, the head 35r is'r'emoved from tank 30, and solid white phosphorus to be melted is introduced into the'tank 30 to` join the pool 26. Where the white phosphorus is in the form of cakes, these may simply be dropped through the inert liquid of the pool 28 into the pool 26. It is preferred, however, to insert a drum of phosphorus bottom up with the head removed as shown at |03 in Figure 1, using chain grips |04, so that the drum may discharge by the phosphorus melting out of the drum after the tank is closed. The'head 35 is then reapplied and suitably gasketed at `36on the tank 30. While it is desirable to have this gasketing tight, no harm will be done if thereI is a slight leakage as it is impossible for phosphorus vapor from the nozzle to ow back into tank.30 during phosphorizing'since the valve 45 is kept closed at such times. The onlyharm done by leakage at the gasket 36 is that' some pressure will be lost in pumping molten phosphorus into the dispensing pool.

If any mistake is made in charging by which pieces or fragments of phosphorus drop into the pool 2|, no serious harm is done as the pool 2| provides protection from fire and the phosphorus will simply remain at the bottom of the tank 20, from which it may be removed.

In order to transfer phosphorus-from pool 26 Yto pool 21, valve 45 in the oonnectiontl between the tanks 30 and 3| is opened, overflow valve 56 on tank 3| is opened, and with pump 31 operating, valve 4| is opened to apply inert liquid pressure to pool 28 on pool 26 in tank 3|). This results in forcing molten phosphorus from melting pool 26 through connection 43 into tank 3|, where it drops into and forms part of dispensing pool 21. The level of molten phosphorus in pool 21 is shown at all times by float 51 on indicator 59, the molten phosphorus of the pool communieating with the float through the open bottom of column ylill. As soon as sufficient phosphorus has arrived in pool 21, valves 4|, 45 and 56 are closed and pump 31 is turned olf.

In order to phosphorize, the nozzle 6| is inserted well below the level of the molten metal in furnace 63, manipulating the nozzle by means of universal joint 13. Pump 64 is started so that the exposed portions of connection 64 are Well .heated by the warm inert liquid from pool 2 I. To

begin phosphorizing, pump 46 is started and valve 55 is opened to permit inert liquid to enter pool 29, and discharge valve 14 is opened to permit phosphorus to be displaced from pool 21 and discharge through the nozzle. Valves 55 land v14 are adjusted to obtain the desired now as shown by flow meters 52 and 53.` The quantity of phosphorus discharged by-the nozzle can be determined, since it is equal to the quantity yof'inert liquid passing through the flow meters 52 and 53. The change in level of the float 51 can be used as a check, and to be sure that the pool 21 is not completely depleted.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or partv of the benefits of my invention without copying the apparatus shown, and I, therefore, claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claim. i

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A gage device for a closedl vessel containing molten phosphorus, and a protecting liquid on top of the molten phosphorus comprising a hollow glass column extending vertically downward through the top wall of the vessel and the protecting liquid and terminating in the molten phosphorus, said column being open at the'bottom beneath the level of the molten phosphorus, and the upper end thereof extending above the top of the vessel and having its upper end closed to form a gage glass above the top on the vessel, a float in the column having a specific gravity less than that of the molten phosphorus and greater than that of the protecting liquid and an indicator stem extending upwardly from the float to a position visible inside the gauge glass.

e JAMES R. WYATT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Schuessler June 6, 

